This review of the FA Vase is from the Midland Football League.
Following an action packed first round of the FA Vase, the Midland
Football League has at least 14 teams through to the second round and
just 7 games away from a Wembley final. With the strength of our league
competition, chances of one of our sides reaching Wembley must be good.
Even better, how about an all Midland League final? If that should
happen, then a Midland League day out has to be on the cards.
As
the competition progresses through the rounds, attendances will
increase and interest from local media, supporters, potential supporters
should generate much needed publicity for all of our clubs involved.
There are some big non-league names in the competition and the Vase has
been dominated by the Northern League for many years. The reason for
this isn’t too hard to see. Most Northern League clubs choose not to be
promoted due to the distances involved with promotion to the Northern
Premier League. With only Blyth Spartans and Gateshead, and to a lesser
extent, Whitby Town, from the far North East plying their trade in Step 4
and above, most non-league players from the North play in the Northern
League. This increases the strength of a number of the teams to such an
extent that they could comfortably compete at Step 3 or 4.
Does this
mean that the MFL is at a disadvantage? Given the strength of our
competition this season, there does appear to be more of a level playing
field and our clubs should fear no-one in the competition. Who knows,
in a couple of months’ time, we could all be celebrating with a trip to
the Wembley Arch.